WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) participated in a child care summit at the White House on Wednesday to collaborate on strategies to bring down costs for parents, increase access to providers, and improve job quality for workers.
McDonald Rivet was one of 90 state legislators and leaders from across the country joining senior officials for The White House States Convening on Child Care. First Lady Jill Biden delivered closing remarks and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan shared policy success stories.
“It was a good opportunity to look at how different states are using the influx of federal dollars to address this crisis,” said Sen. McDonald Rivet. “Fixing our broken child care system will take time, but that’s time many families don’t have. It’s why lowering costs for working families is the legislation I introduced on day one and continues to be my policy priority.”
Last month, the Michigan Legislature passed a bipartisan budget funding legislation advanced by Sen. McDonald Rivet which lowers costs for families through tax relief and expanded pre-K:
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Her 30 percent increase in the state match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) raises the average refund for eligible working families by $600 and puts an average EITC refund of $3,150 back in families’ pockets each year.
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Her amendment increasing funds and incentivizing expansion of the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) will help deliver 5,600 more free pre-K slots this fall and save families $10,000 a year. It also gives districts the option to go from four to five instructional days per week, and from 30 to 36 instructional weeks per year.
“I was encouraged expanding pre-K was a focus at this White House summit. Of course, we must do it in a way that supports providers serving children three and under as well,” said McDonald Rivet. “Expanding pre-K in the right way will help working parents who would otherwise have to find and pay for child care and give employers a needed workforce boost. Early investment improves outcomes for kids which also returns more to communities and society.”
When the Michigan Legislature resumes its regular session schedule in the fall, McDonald Rivet plans to introduce legislation in this area. It will be informed by discussions with parents, providers, employers, and her career experiences in child care and early childhood education, including:
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Serving as lead architect of Michigan’s birth–to-5 system of care (Great Start) and its parent organization, the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC).
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Working to make child care accessible and affordable while President/CEO of the network of Greater Midland Community Centers and overseeing a facility transition to provide child care for essential workers during the pandemic’s first year.
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Leading as a policy expert in state and national groups including the:
Rep. Stephanie Young (D-Detroit) was the only other Michigan legislator attending Wednesday’s child care summit at The White House.
Background
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Currently, Michigan families with income below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines can enroll their 4-year-olds in the state-funded Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP).
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The White House Briefing Room: Readout of the White House States Convening on Child Care
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